SHarris

I booked a trip home for Christmas thinking my passport was valid for another year. I've just pulled it out and found it expired in August this year. I know this was my fault, but what options do I have?

I believe renewal is going to take too long? Do I qualify for an emergency passport or does it have to actually be an emergency? I'm in Arizona, my nearest embassy is in LA, thats a long drive if they're going to tell me I can't do it.

I'm a permanent resident with a CR2 Green Card.

I'd call the embassy but it's veterans day so I'm looking for info before tomorrow when I can call.

Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

hungryhorace

Make an appointment at the nearest British Consulate for an emergency travel document. Alternatively, you could just rock up at LHR with your expired passport. The chief immigration officer would surely let you in. Then I would go get a same day passport (Peterborough does them iirc) from a prior appointment I had booked before leaving America.

SHarris

But surely American Airlines won't let me fly without a valid passport?

Do you know of any locations other than the Embassy in LA I can get an emergency travel document?

Thanks for the swift reply.

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE.

You should get an ETD...emergency travel document...as already stated. You will have to produce your airline ticket as proof of your journey. Take a look in the Moving Back to The UK Forum...as this has been discussed several times recently.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61

BritInParis

Whilst it's likely, though not recommended, that UKBA will let you enter with a recently expired passport it is unlikely that the airline will let you board.

You can apply for an ETD in LA (other nearby options may include Houston and Denver) but if you get your renewal application off to Durham sharpish five weeks should be sufficient for your application to be processed and your new passport to be sent to you. Just ensure that your application is all present and correct paying especial attention to the photo guidelines.

SHarris

Thanks for the replies!

So just to confirm, I've searched around but found it hard to get a definitive answer, are there special requirements for an ETD aside from having the flight booked? Will they be happy to give me one or does it have to be a real emergency?

Thank you so much for the help, I've spent the past few hours panicking.

SHarris

I'm just worried about if it doesn't turn up on time. It's a pretty big risk :/

hungryhorace

Just get the ETD. Then pick up a sane day passport when back in England. Still cheaper than paying for one in the US I'd guess.

BritInParis

That used to be the case; now the policy to issue if the customer requests it.

It's not a big risk. Turnaround times are being reported at about two to three weeks currently by other BE posters with the official turnaround time being four weeks for a renewal.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...786998&page=22

It's your decision (and money) however.

An ETD nearly costs as much as an overseas passport application so that would work out a lot more expensive overall.

notonuksoil

I've just recently renewed both my kids UK passports and was amazed at how quick I got them back.

Sent old passports, application form and photos to Durham UK on October 21st via UPS worldwide, cost me about $70 and they got there in 2 days.
Received both old passports back on October 29th
Received eldest's new passport on Oct 30th
Received youngest's new passport on October 31st

Very impressed with the service.

Bob

An emergency is in the eye of the beholder.

N1cky

A forum member who doesn't post on here very often anymore, discovered the day before their Christmas flight, last year, that her daughters passport was missing. She got an ETD on the day of the flight, in fact I believe they got it and drove straight to the airport, that's how tight it was

JAJ

Is the ETD multi-journey? (ie, not just for return to the U.K.)?
If so, probably best to get an ETD for the journey to the U.K. and back, and then apply for a new passport in January.

Also - worth checking to ensure the green card isn't going to expire soon.

Jerseygirl

What an emergency travel document does
An emergency travel document allows you to leave the country you’re in and travel to your destination via a maximum of 5 countries.

The emergency travel document can also cover a return journey if you’re resident in the country you’re applying from.


https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document

Jerseygirl

Just in case you come back to this thread...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=815277